Do You See Yourself In The C-Suite? Lets Put You in the Corner Office
It’s Dexter Hall’s strategic mission to get you there — and succeed! Here’s why.
Dexter Hall says he’s gotten more out of life “by giving to others than by what has been given” to him. Wearing a cross around his neck like an old-fashioned, Southern pastor, Hall is a professional coach with the Black Executive Men organization. He sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE Senior Multiplatform Content Producer Ashlei Stevens for the XCEL Summit for Men Spotlight series three years ago.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, BE reminds today’s young African American professionals of a piece of advice he offers to anyone aspiring to greatness — “you must first be a servant to others.” It’s a part of Hall’s leadership style. Hall and the Black Executive Men organization have the mission to help Black men who aspire to C-suite leadership get there and succeed. When you hear his point of view in this accompanying video clip, you’ll know he has the strategy to get you to the C-suite. And BE wants to help him help you!
County officials said the center aims to address gaps in services.
DeKalb County officials opened a new day center to provide residents experiencing homelessness with access to meals, mental health support, employment assistance, and housing services, Decaturish reports.
The South DeKalb Day Center facility, located at New Life Church in Decatur, is designed to serve as a central access point for people seeking help with immediate needs and long-term housing solutions. County leaders said the center will offer case management, behavioral health referrals, and connections to job training and permanent housing programs. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and offers breakfast and lunch.
The opening comes three months after the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved nearly $930,000 in funding for the initiative. The allocation covers leasing costs, staffing, food services, security, and other operational expenses.
County officials said the center aims to address gaps in daytime services for people experiencing homelessness by offering support in a single location.
According to the county’s Community Development Department, staff members will assess each person’s needs and connect them with resources, including mental healthcare, workforce development programs, and housing navigation services.
“The key focus here though is you got individuals who are in crisis, give them stabilization and transform them to a better life,” DeKalb County Community Development Director Alan Mitchell told WSB Radio. “No one has done this before in this metro area.”
County leaders accelerated plans for the project following increased public concern over homelessness in Decatur and the limited availability of dedicated daytime resources.
“This new center strengthens our ability to meet residents where they are, provide critical support services, and create opportunities for long-term success. It represents another step forward in our efforts to build a more responsive and coordinated system of care throughout DeKalb County,” DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said.
Officials said the center is intended to provide a consistent entry point for residents seeking assistance while helping connect them with stable housing and other essential services.
Obamas’ Higher Ground Production Company Lands Disney Deal Following Netflix Exit
Barack and Michelle Obama's production company is entering a new chapter with Disney, launching an original animated fantasy series.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s media production company, Higher Ground, embarks on its next major venture after ending its eight-year first-look deal with Netflix earlier this year.
The company has partnered with Disney to develop Journey, an original animated fantasy series produced in collaboration with Disney Kids & Family (formerly known as Disney Branded Television). Created and executive produced by Matt Munn, whose previous credits include Ice Age: Collision Course and Spies in Disguise, Journey follows a young heroine who ventures into forbidden lands in search of answers surrounding her father’s disappearance while discovering powerful magic within herself.
“Journey is an epic adventure anchored by a remarkable young heroine whose courage inspires those around her,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, in a press release, according to The Independent. Davis added that the series explores “resilience, self-discovery and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself.”
Jessie Dicovitsky, who serves as Higher Ground’s head of television, said the company sees the project as a continuation of its mission to create meaningful content for families.
“Combining adventure, imagination and music, Journey is a true original that takes bold swings,” Dicovitsky said. “We’re proud to partner with Disney on this fantastical series and to build on Higher Ground’s history of delivering fun and meaningful stories for kids and families.”
Founded in 2018 by the former president and first lady, Higher Ground has become one of the most successful production companies launched by public figures. Its projects include the Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentary American Factory, the Oscar-nominated films Rustin and American Symphony, and family-focused programming such as Ada Twist, Scientist.
The Disney deal comes just months after the Obamas announced in April that Higher Ground would become an independent production company, allowing it to work with multiple studios and distributors rather than remaining tied to a single platform. Nevertheless, Journey signals that the Obamas remain committed to using storytelling to inspire younger generations while expanding their footprint across the entertainment industry.
Here are a few great songs to help launch your own special Daddy's Day
It’s that time for the kids to make a breakfast of burnt toast and runny eggs for dear ole’ dad and serve it to him in bed. After the meal is consumed (or possibly hidden under the bed when the kids aren’t looking), Dad is presented with a homemade card or maybe even the world’s ugliest tie that he will only wear in your wildest dreams. A cool father will pretend to like all of those gifts, but what he may enjoy more is a playlist of songs that affirm how important he is in every child’s life.
Here are a few great songs to help launch your own special Daddy’s Day playlist.
Best Songs for a Father’s Day Playlist
1. COLOR HIM FATHER – THE WINSTONS
This million-selling song told the story of a stepfather who became a real father to his wife’s children. It was the only chart hit (No. 2 for five weeks on the R&B singles chart in 1969) for the Washington, D.C.-based band that featured Richard Lewis Spencer’s unique lead vocals. He also won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Rhythm & Blues Song for writing it.
2. DANCE WITH MY FATHER – LUTHER VANDROSS
Vandross co-wrote (with pop star Richard Marx) this sentimental song about seeing his father dance with his mother when he was a child. His father died of diabetes when the singer was seven years old. Sadly, Vandross suffered a major stroke weeks after finishing the song and was unable to promote it when it was released to radio in 2003. It still became a Grammy Award-winning No. 1 hit. Vandross died in 2005.
3. PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE – THE TEMPTATIONS
Dennis Edwards’ fiery roar, Damon Harris’ sweet falsetto, and a relentless bass line define this psychedelic mantra about a father who was largely missing in action yet was still something of a hero to his son nonetheless.
4. JUST THE TWO OF US – WILL SMITH
To the beat of Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.’s classic “Just The Two of Us,” Will Smith raps about his relationship with his first son, Trey.
5. STILL, MY FATHER – BRYAN ANDREW WILSON
(Wikimedia)
The young gospel legend shares the once-uneasy relationship with his own absentee-but-now-back-in-his-life father on this 2005 Urban AC meditation.
6. DADDY LESSONS – BEYONCÉ
Beyoncé and her father, Matthew Knowles, via a May 26, 2016 Instagram post.
Queen Bey shows that before Jay-Z, her first King was Daddy, Matthew Knowles. She reverentially sings that he “made a soldier out of me” and “taught me to be strong.” Spotify doesn’t have rights to stream Beyoncé’s solo version, so we’ve added her Dixie Chicks collaboration to the listening. It’s equally powerful as a country song.
7. YOUR DADDY LOVES YOU – GIL SCOTT-HERON
One of the most militant and politically observant musicians of the 1970s, Gil Scott-Heron showed a very tender side on this whimsical homage to one of his daughters. Sadly, the original 1974 version with the eerie piccolo appears to be out of print, but Spotify has a live version of it that we include in our playlist.
8. WIND BENEATH MY WINGS – GERALD and EDDIE LEVERT
The O’Jays’ Eddie Levert and his equally famous firstborn son, Gerald, turned in a powerfully riveting performance on this 1995 re-cut of a 1980 Gladys Knight & the Pips original.
9. SONG FOR MY FATHER – LEON THOMAS
The late avant-garde jazz vocalist’s hearty 1969 cover of the Horace Silver Quintet’s 1964 standard is a more mellow affair with a disconcerting yodeling spell. However, it’s still a breathtaking and thought-provoking performance.
10. DAT DERE – OSCAR BROWN JR.
The veteran actor and storyteller humorously recalls all the crazy things a kid might ask his father on a trip to the zoo.
11. JUST LIKE YOU – LECRAE (Featuring J. PAUL)
In a childhood flashback, the fatherless rapper is on the hunt for any male role model in this sobering, percussive track.
12. MY DADDY – EVELYN TURRENTINE-AGEE
The Quartet Queen, best known for “God Did It” – a No. 1 gospel hit in 2001, remembers her father lovingly in this southern waltz.
13. MY FATHER’S EYES – ERIC CLAPTON
The legendary guitarist seeks his father’s approval, guidance, and support on this rocking track.
14. PATCHES – CLARENCE CARTER
Nicknamed “Patches” because of his raggedy clothes, this impoverished 13-year-old went to work as a teenager to support his Mama and sibling after his father died on this 1970 southern soul lamentation.
15. DADDY COULD SWEAR, I DECLARE – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS
“Daddy couldn’t read, Daddy couldn’t write, but one thing Daddy sure could do right was swear, I declare,” the soulful foursome proclaim on this funky ditty.
16. THIS CHILD NEEDS HIS FATHER – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS
Long before the idea of absentee dads had become a pandemic, prophetess Gladys had her fingers on the pulse and sang about it on this 1973 gem.
17. FATHER, FATHER – ANGIE & DEBBIE
BeBe & CeCe Winans’ little sisters call on the Holy Father on this sweeping R&B track, but the message applies to any doting dad.
18. BROWN BABY – BILLY PAUL
On a classic Philly Soul groove, the jazzy singer admonishes the brown babies of the world “to make your father proud” on this 1973 cut from the same album that produced his masterpiece, “Me and Mrs. Jones.”
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 03: Rapper Yung Miami of City Girls performs onstage during JMBLYA at Fair Park on May 03, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)
Uptown Records Relaunches With Yung Miami And G Herbo Among First Signees
The iconic label founded by the late Andre Harrell in 1986, is entering a new era.
After helping define the sound of hip-hop and R&B in the late ’80s and ’90s, Uptown Records is making a return.
The legendary label, founded by late hip-hop executive Andre Harrell, has officially relaunched under the Republic Collective umbrella, with music industry veteran Danielle Price Sanders as president of Uptown Records and executive vice president of Republic Collective. Natina Nimene will join the leadership team as executive vice president of Urban Audience and Artist Relations, reports Hot 107.9 – Hot Spot ATL.
Founded in 1986, Uptown Records became one of the most influential labels in Black music history, helping launch the careers of artists such as Heavy D, Al B. Sure!, Jodeci, and Mary J. Blige. The label also played a pivotal role in the early career of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who began as an intern before rising through the ranks and later founding Bad Boy Records.
Price Sanders will take the helm at one of hip-hop’s most historic labels as it seeks to connect its legacy with a new generation of artists. Prior to her new appointment, she held senior executive positions within the Universal Music Group ecosystem, helping develop artist strategies and cultural marketing initiatives.
The revived label is wasting no time building its roster. Chicago rapper G Herbo, former City Girls member Yung Miami, and South Carolina rising star Trap Dickey have been announced as Uptown’s first signees.
“Uptown Records was a flagship for rap music,” G Herbo said in a statement, according to Hot 107.9 – Hot Spot ATL. “It created the template for superstars in the eighties and nineties. It’s an honor to be a part of its story.”
Yung Miami echoed that excitement, calling the relaunch “a legendary label being resurrected” and praising the female-led executive team guiding the company’s next chapter. “Uptown already feels like home,” she said.
With Price Sanders leading the charge, Uptown Records is positioning itself to honor Harrell’s legacy while cultivating the next wave of hip-hop and R&B talent.
Black-Owned Bars Reimagine Western Saloon Culture, Pay Homage To Black Cowboys
Driven by renewed cultural interest in Western aesthetics, driven in part by Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter," entrepreneurs are reinterpreting the traditional saloon.
Black-owned bars across the United States are reshaping Western-themed nightlife by blending saloon-inspired design with contemporary music, food, and community programming, while spotlighting the overlooked history of Black cowboys in the American West, Black Press USA reports.
Driven by renewed cultural interest in Western aesthetics and country music, amplified in part by Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, entrepreneurs are reinterpreting the traditional saloon as a modern social space.
According to The Guardian, historians estimate that Black Americans made up about one-quarter of cowboys in the American West after the Civil War, contributing to agriculture, transportation, and the growth of frontier towns.
“We’re cowboys for three generations back,” Larry Callies of the Black Cowboy Museum told the outlet.
Social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, have helped expand visibility for Black-owned Western-inspired bars, with short-form videos showcasing line dancing, live country performances, cocktails, and rustic interiors reaching wide audiences.
Many venues also incorporate Southern, Creole, and Caribbean culinary influences, as well as signature cocktails inspired by regional flavors, historical figures, and country music culture.
Hospitality consultants and bar owners say success often depends on authenticity, strong customer service, and consistent programming. However, operators must balance rising design and branding costs with the need to attract repeat customers year-round, the outlet reports.
As interest in Black Western culture continues to grow, these venues are using Western-inspired spaces to highlight the contributions of Black Americans to the development of the American West.
Design choices such as exposed wood, leather textures, vintage photographs, and locally created artwork are frequently used to reinforce Western themes while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic.
While the concept has gained traction, owners face challenges including high renovation costs, the need for consistent programming, and difficulty sustaining customer engagement beyond initial interest, particularly in competitive nightlife markets.
Gen Z And Millennials Are Ditching Corporate Jobs For Franchises
The shift reflects changing expectations around work, with younger Americans weighing job security
Young entrepreneurs from Generation Z to millennials are increasingly turning to owning franchises as an alternative to traditional corporate careers, according to Business Insider.
The shift reflects changing expectations around work, with younger Americans weighing job security, rising living costs, and flexibility against long-term corporate advancement. Instead of building companies from the ground up or climbing corporate ladders, many are opting for established franchise models that offer structured systems, brand recognition, and operational support.
Franchise ownership, once dominated by investors in their 40s and 50s, is now drawing significantly younger buyers in their 20s and 30s. Business Insider reported that this demographic shift is reshaping entry points into business ownership, particularly as younger workers reassess financial stability in a high-cost economy.
Industry data supports the trend. The International Franchise Association has noted increasing interest among millennials and Gen Z in franchise systems, driven by preferences for autonomy, flexible schedules, and clearer operational frameworks compared with traditional employment structures.
Despite growing interest, franchising remains a capital-intensive investment. Startup costs can range widely depending on brand, location, and industry, and many franchise agreements include ongoing royalty and marketing fees. Those financial requirements continue to limit access for some first-time entrepreneurs, particularly younger investors without significant access to capital or financing.
As a result, some younger franchisees are targeting emerging or lower-cost franchise brands that offer reduced entry fees or more flexible investment structures.
For many Gen Z and millennial entrepreneurs, it represents a structured pathway into ownership at a time when traditional career stability is increasingly uncertain.
D.C.’s 1st Black Woman-Owned Brewery Opens On Juneteenth
Urban Garden Brewing distinguishes itself through a menu centered on botanicals, herbs, and flowers
Urban Garden Brewing will open on June 19 in Northwest Washington, marking a milestone for the District’s craft beer industry as the city prepares to welcome its first Black woman-owned brick-and-mortar brewery, WTOP News reports.
The brewery, founded by D.C. native Eamoni Collier, will open at 624 T St. NW in Shaw, occupying the former Right Proper Brewing location near the Howard Theatre.
According to the outlet, Collier spent several years contract brewing and searching for a permanent space after gaining experience at Right Proper Brewing before launching her own venture.
Urban Garden Brewing distinguishes itself through a menu centered on botanicals, herbs, and flowers rather than hop-forward beers commonly found in the craft brewing market.
“We focused a lot more on the botanicals versus how hoppy we can make the beer,” Collier told the outlet.
“We really like to explore different botanicals, flowers, herbs, and spices to bring out the essence of the beer.”
The opening comes as the craft brewing industry continues to face challenges with representation. Data from the Brewers Association, a national trade organization representing small and independent breweries, shows brewery ownership remains predominantly white and male.
Collier told the outlet that the lack of diversity she observed while working in the industry motivated her to create a space that reflects broader representation.
“I realized that there was a lack in representation, especially not just as Black Americans, but also Black women,” she said.
The brewery will also feature the Joe Tate Listening Lounge, a space honoring Collier’s grandfather, a go-go musician who performed at the nearby Howard Theatre alongside Chuck Brown. The lounge will showcase vinyl records and artwork celebrating his legacy.
Urban Garden Brewing’s grand opening begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on June 19 and will include live go-go performances, a beer garden, floral activities, and collaborations with Black-owned businesses.
10 Juneteenth Events Across The U.S. To Celebrate Black Freedom
Observed annually on June 19, the federal holiday marks the day in 1865 when the end of slavery was announced
As communities across the United States prepare to commemorate Juneteenth, cities large and small are planning parades, festivals, concerts, and educational programs that honor Black history, culture, and resilience. Observed annually on June 19, the federal holiday marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. From historic gatherings in Texas to celebrations in major metropolitan areas nationwide, these Juneteenth events offer opportunities to reflect on the legacy of emancipation and to celebrate the ongoing contributions of Black Americans.
Galveston, Texas
Juneteenth Celebration at the Birthplace of the Holiday
The nation’s most significant Juneteenth observance takes place at the site where General Order No. 3 was issued on June 19, 1865. Signature events include the annual proclamation reading at Ashton Villa, the Emancipation March from Reedy Chapel AME Church, heritage tours, concerts, and family activities throughout the island.
Houston’s observances center on the historic Fourth Ward and Freedmen’s Town, with programming at Emancipation Park, cultural exhibitions, heritage tours, and the annual Acres Homes Juneteenth Parade.
Civic Season at the Atlanta History Center’s Juneteenth programming blends historical interpretation with civic engagement through exhibits, performances, and educational discussions.
National Harbor Freedom Day Celebration: The annual waterfront event features live music, Black-owned business marketplaces, cultural performances, and family activities.
One of the country’s largest Juneteenth celebrations, Philadelphia’s event typically includes a large-scale parade, art installations, wellness programming, and performances along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Established in the early 1970s, Milwaukee hosts one of the nation’s longest-running Juneteenth celebrations, anchored by a parade, local vendors, and community events.
The Greenwood District Juneteenth Festival events in the historic Greenwood District, once known as Black Wall Street, combine remembrance with music, economic empowerment initiatives, and educational programming.
The multiday Denver Juneteenth Music Festival in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood features concerts, a parade, art exhibits, and showcases of Black-owned businesses.
Across the five boroughs, celebrations include concerts, museum programming, walking tours, community gatherings, and performances honoring Black history and culture.
